UR, but IM: Why is it so
hard to understand teens?
UR, but IM: Why is it so hard to
understand teens?
Core questions and answers
What are the ten core values of
services to teens in libraries?
What are the fantastic four core
contradictions of serving teens in
libraries?
What are the key to connecting?
www.connectingya.com
Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
Patrick Jones
http://www.connectingya.com
Getting started
WHO? HOW?
Audience
WHY?
Young adults
Presenter
What not?
What else?
WHAT
What next?
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Serving teens in
libraries isn’t
just a practice; it
is based on a
philosophy and
a set of core
values..
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~ten core values~
Youth development
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~ten core values~
Developmental needs.
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Access Unchained
(exercise #3)
Remember
Accept
Project
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~ten core values~
Development assets
(www.search-
institute.org)
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~ten core values~
Developmental assets are the
building blocks of young people’s
successful growth and development
The more assets young people
have, the more likely they are to
grow up healthy and become
competent caring adults.
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~ten core values~
Assets promote actions (aka
thriving behaviors):
Succeeding in school
Helping others
Valuing diversity
Maintaining good health
Resisting danger
Exhibiting leadership
Delaying gratification
Overcoming adversity
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~ten core values~
The more assets a young person
has, the less likely Use drugs or
alcohol
Smoke or chew
Vandalize
Get into trouble
Choose violence
Skip school
Become depressed/suicidal
Become sexually active
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~ten core values~
Youth advocacy
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~ten core values~
Youth participation
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TEEN ADVISORY GROUPS
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TUTORING
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TEENS AND TYKES
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TAPPING TEEN CREATIVITY
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SPECIAL PROJECTS
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~ten core values~
Collaboration
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~ten core values~
Information literacy
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~ten core values~
Adolescent literacy
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~ten core values~
http://www.ala.org/yalsa/
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~ten core values~
Learning and
achievement
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~ten core values~
Texas
Pennsylvania
Colorado
Alaska
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~ten core values~
Equity of
access/intellectual
freedom
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~Connecting Young Adults and Libraries~
The fantastic four contradictions of
young adult service
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~Connecting Young Adults and Libraries~
1. Normal day at Normal public library
(aka seniors, toddlers, cell phone guy,
and other problem patrons)
2. ISTJ, OK?
3. We are not zombies!
4. Libraries are quiet; teenagers are
loud; opposites attract / libraries are
not problems to be solved
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries:
The Keys to Connections
OVERCOMING TYPES
Realistic Goals:
Rules: firm, fair, consistent;
give choices
Relationships: volunteers,
regulars, yourself, etc
Responsive: survey says
Respect: give it, expect it,
Role, know your role; develop
your skills, learn your field,
and release your inner YA
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Respect yourself,
respect others, and
respect property,"
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries:
Know your
role:
BUILDING THE
PERFECT
LIBRARIAN
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~How to talk to teens~
Energetic Empathetic
Rule breaker/risk taker
Sharing
Tolerant
Perspective Sense of humor
Respectful Enthusiastic
Nonjudgmental
Encouraging
Patient/persistent
Caring Approachable
Youth involver Empowering
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Hardcover
ISBN: 0-8027-8901-3
Price: $16.95
224 pages
April 2004
Paperback
ISBN: 0-8027-7746-5
ISBN 13: 978-0-8027-
7746-1
Price: $7.95
224 pages
April 2006
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Final thoughts
Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2005 16:34:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Amanda
Subject: Hi ‘‘ I loved your book’’’
To: Patrick@connectingya.com
My name is Amanda!!! I am 15 years old and I have just finished reading
your book "Things Change". It has been the most inspiring thing that I have
read in my life!!! See normally I do not enjoy reading but, this book just
captured me and sucked me in!!! I have never finished a whole book, but
this one I read it in two days flat!!! I have never read a book that related so
well to teens today. You were so real when you wrote this book........’’’ I was
shocked to find that this was your first book dedicated to teens!!! I only wish
that you write more!!! The girl Johanna was so strong it only made feel good
about my self!!! I could relate to every single thing in the book....... and it
can only show to others that real things can happen to real people!!!’’’’ And
you told it like it was in the book..... I just wrote to tell you that you are now
my favorite author!!! And I HOPE that you write many more teen books
because I can guarantee you I will the first to get one!!!
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nailed
Hardcover
ISBN: 0-8027-8077-6
ISBN 13: 978-0-8027-8077-5
Price: $16.95
224 pages
Size: 5-1/2 x 8-1/4
April 2006
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Chasing
Tail
Lights
Hardcover
ISBN: 0-8027-9628-1
ISBN 13: 978-0-8027-
9628-8
Price: $16.95
304 pages
August 2007
www.connectingya.com
Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
Patrick Jones
http://www.connectingya.com
Consulting,training, and
coaching for providing
powerful youth services
patrick@connectingYA.com
www.connectingya.com